Currency identification device for the blind



y 1962 c. M. SURBER CURRENCY IDENTIFICATION DEVICE FOR THE BLIND Filed Jan. 22, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. .1.

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July 24, '1962 c. M. SURBER CURRENCY IDENTIFICATION DEVICE FOR THE BLIND Filed Jan. 22, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR. C'UET/S M 30.95542,

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2; 2 (L 3'. L QM LMM July 24, 1962 C. M. SURBER CURRENCY IDENTIFICATION DEVICE FOR THE BLIND 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 22, 1960 m e T 5 g N m 1 a s M on 2 m N S E T Y Q w B .umC. 2twzun lnr C 0 5.04 QOONN A T TO .Q/VE VS United States Patent 6 3,045,364 CURRENCY IDENTIFICATION DEVICE FOR THE BLIND Curtis M. Surber, Wichita Falls, Tex., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Automatic Canteen Company of America, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Filed Jan. 22, 1960, Ser. No. 4,114 7 Claims. (CI. 35-35) This invention relates to devices for the identification of documents, and more particularly to a device enabling a blind person to identify different denominations of paper currency bills.

A main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved currency identification device which is simple in construction, which is easy for a blind person to operate, and which provides a reliable actual indication of the denomination of any currency bill inserted therein in the range of denominations employed in ordinary transactions in commerce.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved currency identification device to enable a blind person to readily identify the denomination of a currency bill inserted therein, the device being relatively compact in size, being reliable in operation, and providing a positive identification of the denomination of a currency bill whereby a blind person may handle such bills with complete confidence and without the risk of mistaking the denomination of a bill.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved currency identification device for use by blind persons, the device being provided with means to positively identify bills of different denominations by photoelectric means, being arranged so that a currency bill may be quickly inserted therein for identification without damage or abuse of the bill, and being of great value to blind persons to enable them to handle currency bills without the necessity of outside assistance.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a currency identification device constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the currency identification device of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on the line 33 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view showing the major components of the currency identification device of FIG- URES l to 3 in separated positions and illustrating the manner in which a currency bill is inserted in the device to establish its denomination.

FIGURE 5 is -a fragmentary .front elevational view of the apertured masking plate employed in the currency identification device of FIGURES 1 to 4.

FIGURE 6 is an electrical wiring diagram illustrating the connections of one of the currency bill denomination indicating circuits employed in the device of FIGURES 1 to 5.

Referring to the drawings, 11' generally designates a currency identification device constructed in accordance with the present invention. The device 11 comprises a base 12 on which is mounted a lamp housing 13 and a solenoid housing 14- located in spaced relationship to the lamp housing 13, being separated therefrom by an intervening space 15, as is clearly shown in FIGURE 3.

The lamp housing 13 contains an incandescent lamp 16 and a conventional socket .17 in which the lamp is mounted, as shown in FIGURE 3, the socket 17 being connected to a suitable source of current, for example, to the ordinary domestic power lines through suitable "ice switch means provided in the device, for example, through the master switch 19 provided on the solenoid housing 14. A suitable reflector 20 is mounted in the lamp housing 13 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 3 to direct the light from the lamp 16 to the right, as viewed in FIGURE 3, namely, through a transparent lens 21 provided in the wall opposite said reflector.

Housing 13 is provided with suitable ventilating slots 22, as is clearly shown in FIGURES l, 2 and 3, to prevent excessive temperature rise in the housing.

Designated at 24 is a masking member which is mounted in the wall of housing 13 adjacent the lens 21 and which is supported adjacent the space 15 intervening between housing 13 and housing 14. The member 24 comprises a plate of opaque material, such as metal, which is formed with apertures spaced in a manner presently to be described, and corresponding in location to relatively light-transmitting portions of paper currency bills, as will be presently described in detail.

The masking plate 24 is contained in a connecting housing 25 which is mounted in the space i15 between housings 13 and 14 and which contains a vertical transversely arranged supporting wall member 27 in which are mounted respective light-sensitive elements located in axial registry with the apertures in the masking plate 24, as will be presently described. A space 28 is thus defined between the wall member 27 and the masking plate 24, and a slot 29 is provided in the top wall of the connecting housing 25 which is in vertical registry with the vertical space 28 between the members 24 and 27.

Designated at 30 is a rigid plate member of opaque material, for example, of copper or similar durable metal which is shaped to fit into the space 28 and to be inserted therein through the slot 29. A currency bill 31 is adapted to be folded around the supporting plate 30 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 2 so that predetermined portions of the currency bill are located at the opposite sides of the plate 30. The plate 30 is formed with apertures 32 which are arranged to register with the apertures in the masking plate 24 and in the wall member 27 when the plate member 30 is fully inserted in the space 28.

Masking plate 24 is formed with a first pair of apertures 33, 33 which are located to register with portions of a two dollar bill having relatively high light transmission therethrough when the bill is positioned in the space 28 and engaged on the supporting plate 30 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 2. Thus, the apertures 33 are so located that only with a two dollar bill will any substantial amount of light be transmittel through the apertures 33, the portions of the bill adjacent thereto on the plate 30, the registering apertures 32 in the plate 30, and the uppermost group of apertures 34 in the wall member 27 to the light-sensitive elements 35 mounted in the apertures 34. Similarly, the masking plate 24 is provided with a second horizon-tally arranged row of apertures 36 located to correspond with uniquely-located portions of a five dollar bill having relativley high light transmission therethrough when the bill is disposed in folded position on the supporting plate 30 and supported thereby in the space 23. The supporting plate 30 is similarly formed with apertures registrable with the apertures 36 when the supporting plate is in its lowermost position in the space 28. The vertical Wall member 27 is likewise formed with apertures 38 which are in registry with the apertures 36 of the masking plate 24 and which contain light-sensitive members 39.

The masking plate 24 is further provided with apertures 40 corresponding to the light-transmitting portions of a folded ten dollar bill, with apertures 41 corresponding to the locations of light-transmitting portions of a twenty dollar bill, and with apertures 42 corresponding to the location of the light-transmitting portions of a one dollar bill when the bill is engaged with the plate member 30 is in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 2. Corresponding apertures are provided in the supporting plate 30 and the wall member 27 adapted to register with the apertures 40, 41 and 42 in the manner above described, the apertures in the wall member 27 containing lightsensitive elements adapted to receive the transmitted light from the lamp 16 and to respond thereto in a manner presently to be described. Thus, light sensitive members 43 are mounted in the wall member 27 to receive the light transmitted through the apertures 40, light sensitive members 44 are mounted in the wall member 27 to re ceive the light transmitted through the apertures 41, and light sensitive members 45 are mounted in the wall member 27 to receive the light transmitted through the apertures 42.

The light-sensitive members 39, 43, 44 and 45 may comprise photo cells of the resistance type, for example, of the RCA 7412 type, namely of the type whose resistance varies with the intensity of light impinging thereon. Thus, the resistance of such a cell decreases considerably from its unexposed value when light of substantial intensity impinges thereon.

Mounted in the top wall 46 of the plunger housing 14 is a row of circular guide bushings 47 through which slidably extend the plungers 48, 49, 50, 51 and 52 of respective solenoids 53 to 57 vertically mounted in the top portion of the housing -14. The plungers 48 to 52 are thus disposed in a row and are spaced so that they may be easily engaged by the fingers of one hand, enabling a blind person to immediately identify the respective plungers, and to immediately determine which plunger of the group is an elevated condition. The respective solenoids 53 to 57 are associated with the respective denominations of paper currency bills, namely, denominations comprising a one dollar bill, a two dollar bill, a five dollar bill, a ten dollar bill, and a twenty dollar bill. Thus, when any one of the solenoids 53 to 57 becomes energized, it raises its plunger, enabling a blind person to identify the energized solenoid, and which, as will be presently described, enables the blind person to recognize the denomination of a paper currency bill inserted in the device.

Designated at 60 is a housing containing the various additional circuit elements associated with the device, said housing being mounted on the base 12 adjacent the housing elements 13, 14 and .25, as shown in FIGURE 1. The housing 60 contains respective amplifying circuits associated with the groups of light-sensitive members 35, 39, 43, 44 and 45, as well as a common power supply circuit for these amplifiers and for the solenoids 53 to 57. In order to simplify the description of the circuit elements, the amplifying circuit associated only with the light-sensitive members 39 will be described, it being understood that the amplifying circuits associated with the remaining light-sensitive members are identical. The common power supply comprises a conventional plate transformer 61 whose primary winding 62 is connected to the domestic power lines. The lamp 16 is energized from said power lines through an adjustable voltage transformer 101, as will be presently described. The primary circuit of the adjustable voltage transformer is energized from the domestic power lines through the master control switch 19.

The secondary winding 64 of the plate transformer 61 is connected through a filter resistor 65 and a half-wave rectifier 66 to the output terminals 67 and 68 of the power supply, a filter condenser 69 being connected across said output terminals in the conventional manner. A filament transformer 70 has its primary 71 connected to the supply wires 72 and 73 in parallel with the primary winding 62 of the plate transformer 61. The secondary winding 74 of the filament transformer is provided with the filament current supply terminals 75 and 76, being tapped in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 6, and having an additional terminal 77, the portion of secondary winding 74 included between the terminals 76 and 77 being employed to energize the plunger solenoids 53 to 57. Thus, the solenoid 55 has one terminal thereof connected by a wire 79 to the secondary terminal 77 and has the other terminal thereof connected by a wire 80 to the pole 81 of a relay 82 whose winding is included in the cathode circuit of an amplifier tube 83 associated specifically with the light-sensitive element 39.

The upper contact 84 of the relay 82 is connected by a Wire 85 to the terminal 76 of secondary winding 74, said upper contact 84 being engaged by the pole 81 responsive to the energization of the relay 82, whereby to energize the solenoid 55 and elevate its plunger 58.

The filament 86 of tube 83 is connected to the filament current supply terminals 75 and 76. The cathode 87 of tube 83 is connected through a 1500 ohm resistor 88 to one terminal of the winding of relay 82. The remaining terminal of the relay winding is connected by a wire 89 to the negative power supply terminal 68.

Vacuum tube 83 is provided with a control grid 90 and with a plate 91. The plate 91 is connected by a Wire 92 to the positive power supply terminal 67. The grid 90 is connected through a one-half megohm resistor 93 to the negative power supply terminal 68. This normally places sufficient negative bias on the grid 90 to prevent conduction of vacuum tube 83, whereby the relay 82 in the cathode circuit thereof is normally deenergized.

A branch circuit is connected between terminals 67 and 68 comprising a 5600 ohm resistor 94 and the 10,000 ohm winding 95 of a potentiometer, the potentiometer being provided with the adjustable contact 96. The contact 96 is connected to the grid 90 through the light-sensitive resistance elements 39 in the manner illustrated in FIG- URE 6. Thus, two of the three light-sensitive resistance elements 39 are connected in series and the remaining light-sensitive element 39 is connected in parallel with one of the aforementioned light-sensitive elements 39. The series-parallel connection of the resistance elements 39 is arranged so that the voltage on the grid 90 changes sufficiently in a positive direction responsive to the reception of light of substantial intensity simultaneously by all of the light-sensitive members 39 to cause vacuum tube 83 to conduct and to energize its associated relay 82, whereas the failure of any one of the three resistance elements 39 to receive a substantial intensity of light will prevent the grid voltage from rising sufficiently in a positive direction to cause the tube 83 to conduct. The adjustable contact 96 may be employed to provide the desired sensitivity of action of the amplifier tube 83, and when once adjusted, need not be disturbed for a relatively long period of time.

As previously explained, when relay 82 is energized, its associated solenoid 55 becomes energized and raises its plunger member 50, enabling the five dollar bill to be positively identified, since such a bill, placed in the device in the manner previously described, would allow suificient light intensity to be received simultaneously by the three light-sensitive members 39 to cause tube 83 to conduct. The series-parallel connection of the light-sensitive cells 39 is necessary in order that the five dollar bill may be inserted into the device in any one of four different ways, depending upon how the folded bill is engaged with the supporting plate 30. Such an arrangement is not necessary in the case of the one dollar bill, the two dollar bill and the ten dollar bill, and accordingly, the associated light-sensitive members 45, 45 for the one dollar bill, 35, 35 for the two dollar bill, and 43, 43 for the ten dollar bill are merely connected in series. The four lightsensitive resistance elements 44 are connected in seriesparallel in the manner indicated in FIGURE 6 to provide proper identification of a twenty dollar bill which may be inserted in diflferent ways, as in the case of a five dollar bill and for which the identification apertures and lightsensitive members must be located in the manner illustrated.

The amplifier tubes 83 may comprise tubes of the 6C4 type, and the relays 82 may comprise direct current relays of the sensitive type having resistances of approximately 2200 ohms. The respective light-sensitive branch circuits may be each connected between the grid of its associated amplifier tube and a terminal 100 connected to the adjustable contact 96 of the potentiometer 95 connected in a common branch circuit 94, 95, or alternatively, an adjustable grid voltage supplying branch circuit may be provided for each of the amplifying tubes, each branch circuit being connected between the terminals 67 and 68 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 6.

As above mentioned, the adjustable voltage transformer provided in the housing 14, shown at 101 in FIGURE 3, may be employed to energize the lamp 16, whereby the degree of energization of the lamp may be adjusted to compensate for the soiled and worn condition of the currency used in the device. Thus, if the currency is soiled so that it does not transmit light as readily as new currency, the intensity of the lamp 16 may be increased. The adjustable transformer 101 in itself is a conventional item and forms no part of the present invention.

As will be readily apparent, in using the device, the bill to be tested is folded around the support plate 30 in the specific manner illustrated in FIGURES 2, 3 and 4, and is then inserted through the slot 29 into the space 28 so that it is supported on the bottom wall element 103 associated with the space 28, as shown in FIGURE 3. The light-sensitive members mounted in the wall 27 will then respond in accordance with the denomination of the bill, causing one of the relays 82 to become energized, which in turn energizes the proper solenoid 53 to 57, causing the solenoid to elevate its plunger. The blind person will then be instantly notified of the denomination of the bill by recognition of the elevated plunger element 48 to 52. This enables the denomination of a bill to be instantly identified, enabling a blind person to handle paper currency bills with complete confidence and without risk of making errors with respect to the denomination of a bill involved in a particular transaction.

While a specific embodiment of an improved currency identification device for blind persons has been disclosed in the foregoing description, it will be understood that various modifications within the spirit or" the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that no limitations be placed on the invention except as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a currency identification device, a light source, respective light-sensitive members corresponding to different denominations of paper currency bills, means mounting said light-sensitive members opposite said light source at locations corresponding to relatively translucent areas of a predetermined portion of the different denominations, a masking plate mounted between said light source and said light-sensitive members and being spaced from said light-sensitive members sufficiently to allow a currency bill to be received between the masking plate and the lightsensitive members, an apertured supporting plate adapted to be received in a folded bill and to be inserted with the folded bill in the space between the masking plate and the light-sensitive members, said masking plate and supporting plate being formed with respective light-transmitting apertures registering with said lighLsensitive members, respective electrical indicating devices connected to the light-sensitive members, and means to energize said indicating devices in response to the reception of light passing through said apertures by said light-sensitive members.

2. In a currency identification device, a light source, respective light-sensitive members corresponding to different denominations of paper currency bills, means mounting said light-sensitive members opposite said light source at locations corresponding to relatively translucent areas of a predetermined portion of the different denominations, a masking plate mounted between said light source and said light-sensitive members and being spaced from said light-sensitive members sufficiently to allow a currency bill to be received between the masking plate and the light-sensitive members, an apertured supporting plate adapted to be received in a folded bill and to be inserted with the folded bill in the space between the masking plate and the light-sensitive members, said masking plate and supporting plate being formed with respective lighttransmitting apertures registering with said light-sensitive members, respective indicating plungers corresponding to the different denominations, solenoids magnetically coupled to the plungers and extending the plungers when energized, and means energizing the solenoids in response to the reception of light passing through said apertures by said light-sensitive members.

3. In a currency identification device, a light source, respective light-sensitive members corresponding to different denominations of paper currency b-ills, means mounting said light-sensitive members opposite said light source at locations corresponding to relatively translucent areas of a predetermined portion of the different denominations, a masking plate mounted between said light source and said light-sensitive members and being spaced from said light-sensitive members sufliciently to allow a currency bill to be received between the masking plate and the light-sensitive members, an apertured supporting plate adapted to be received in a folded bill and to be inserted with the folded bill in the space between the masking plate and the light-sensitive members, said masking plate and supporting plate being formed with respective light-transmitting apertures registering with said lightsensitive members, a support, respective solenoids mounted on the support in locations corresponding to the different denominations, respective plungers operated by the solenoids and becoming extended relative to the support responsive to the energization of the solenoids, and means to selectively energize said solenoids in response to the reception of light passing through said apertures by said light-sensitive members.

4. In a currency identification device, a light source, respective light-sensitive members corresponding to different denominations of paper currency bills, means mounting said light-sensitive members opposite said light source at locations corresponding to relatively translucent areas of a predetermined portion of the different denominations, a masking plate mounted between said light source and said light-sensitive members and being spaced from said light-sensitive members sufficiently to allow a currency bill to be received between the masking plate and the light-sensitive members, an apertured supporting plate adapted to be received in a folded bill and to be inserted with the folded bill in the space between the masking plate and the light-sensitive members, said masking plate and supporting plate being formed with respective light-transmitting apertures registering with said lightsensitive members, a support adjacent said light-sensitive members, said support having a horizontal top surface, respective solenoids mounted on said support subjacent said top surface at locations corresponding to the different denominations, respective plungers in said solenoids, said plungers being extensible above said top surface responsive to the energization of the solenoids, and means to selectively energize said solenoids in response to the reception of light passing through said apertures by said light-sensitive members.

'5. In a currency identification device, a light source, respective light-sensitive members corresponding to different denominations of paper currency bills, means mounting said light-sensitive members opposite said light source at locations corresponding to relatively translucent areas of a predetermined portion of the different denominations, a masking plate mounted between said light source and said light-sensitive members and being spaced from said light-sensitive members sufficiently to define a vertical slot between the masking plate and the light-sensitive members, an apertured supporting plate adapted to be received in a folded bill and to be inserted with the folded bill in the slot, said masking plate and supporting plate being formed with respective light-transmitting apertures registering with said light-sensitive members, respective electrical indicating devices connected to the light-sensitive members, and means to energize said indicating devices in response to the reception of light passing through said apertures by said light-sensitive members.

6. In a currency identification device, a light source, respective light-sensitive members corresponding to different denominations of paper currency bills, means mounting said light-sensitive members opposite said light source at locations corresponding to relatively translucent areas of a predetermined portion of the different denominations, a masking plarte mounted between said light source and said light-sensitive members and being spaced from said light-sensitive members sufficiently to define a vertical slot between the masking plate and the light-sensitive members, an apertured supporting plate adapted to be received in a folded bill and to be inserted with the folded bill in said slot, said masking plate and supporting plate being formed with respective light-transmitting apertures registering with said light-sensitive members, a support, respective solenoids mounted on the support in locations corresponding to the diiferent denominations, respective plungers operated by the solenoids and becoming extended relative to the support responsive to the energization of the solenoids, and means to selectively energize said solenoids in response to the reception of light passing through said apertures by said light-sensitive members.

7. In a currency identification device, a light source, respective light-sensitive members corresponding to different denominations of paper currency bills, means mounting said light-sensitive members opposite said light source at locations corresponding to relatively translucent areas of a predetermined portion of the different denorninations, a masking plate mounted between said light source and said light-sensitive members and being spaced from said light-sensitive members sufiiciently to define a vertical slot between the masking plate and the light-sensitive members, an apertured supporting plate adapted to be received in a folded bill and to be inserted with the folded bill in said slot, said masking plate and supporting plate being formed with respective light-transmitting apertures registering with said light-sensitive members, a support adjacent said light-sensitive members, said support having a horizontal top surface, respective solenoids mounted on said support subjacent said top surface at locations corresponding to the different denominations, respective plungers in said solenoids, said plungers being extensible above said top surface responsive to the energization of the solenoids, and means to selectively energize said solenoids in response to the reception of light passing through said apertures by said light-sensitive members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,914,937 Bodine June 20, 1933 2,497,405 Glover Feb. 14, 1950 2,808,661 Berggreen Oct. 8, 1957 2,827,822 Tims Mar. 25, 1958 2,896,763 Gisser et al. July 28, 1959 2,922,893 Ett Jan. 26, 1960 

